fall flat

Related to fall flat: on a roll, a case in point, gunning for, give it a shot, fall flat on one's face

fall flat

1. To fail or be ineffective. Good luck—the last time management tried to implement a new dress code, that measure fell flat.
2. To fail to be humorous, as of a joke. A: "Unfortunately, my first stand-up routine really fell flat." B: "Well, maybe you just had the wrong audience."
See also: fall, flat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

fall flat

Fail, prove to be ineffective, as in His jokes nearly always fell flat-no one ever laughed at them. [First half of 1800s]
See also: fall, flat
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

fall flat

COMMON
1. If an event or an attempt to do something falls flat, it is completely unsuccessful. If the efforts fall flat and the economic situation does not change, this city can expect another riot 25 years from now. She was badly disappointed when the evening fell flat.
2. If a joke falls flat, nobody thinks it is funny. He then started trying to tell jokes to the assembled gathering. These too fell flat.
See also: fall, flat
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

fall flat

fail completely to produce the intended or expected effect.
See also: fall, flat
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

fall ˈflat

if a joke, a story, or an event falls flat, it completely fails to amuse people or to have the effect that was intended: I didn’t think the comedian was funny at all — most of his jokes fell completely flat.
See also: fall, flat
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

fall flat

1. To fail miserably when attempting to achieve a result.
2. To have no effect: The jokes fell flat.
See also: fall, flat
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • stop at
  • stop at (something)
  • fail at life
  • be on the wrong track
  • the law of diminishing returns
  • against all the odds
  • be (batting) on a losing wicket
  • can't make heads nor tails of (someone or something)
  • be asleep at the switch
  • can't make anything out (of something)
References in periodicals archive
Higgins said: "If you fall flat on your face at the World Championship you have a horrible summer ahead of you.
I'LL GO FLAT OUT TO KEEP THIS CROWN
There are plenty waiting for Liverpool to fall flat
Message we can't ignore; Voice of the ECHO
"Sometimes you have to ask for help otherwise you fall flat on your face," explained Rik.
IAN Hyland's TV WEEK: A FAT LOT OF GOOD
They are best when early or late: There is a difficult period in the '8os when caricature threatens and the artist's ferocious conjuring tricks fall flat. Some of the drawings of people are truly unresolved.
Frank Auerbach: Royal academy of arts, London
Most of the illustrations fall flat. Even when he describes his own gay bashing, Kooden's text feels like little more than a paragraph taken off a news wire.
Golden Men: The Power of Gay Midlife
Was she at her peak or did the concert fall flat? Write and tell us what you thought at Talk About, Sunday Mercury, 28 Colmore Circus, Birmingham B4 6AZ.
Superstar Whitney's show hits a flat note
Without a helping alliance, any number of therapy approaches are likely to fall flat, report Lester Luborsky and colleagues in the June ARCHIVES OF GENERAL PSYCHIATRY.
Effective therapists foster 'alliances'
AFTER last week's jolly opener, things fall flat tonight.
Your LIFE: WE LOVE TELLY! - COMEDY DRAMA LITTLE DEVIL ITV1, 9pm
The Tannadice club have set lofty targets in the last few summers - only to fall flat on their faces.
KIL THE BOASTS
WARNING signs have gone up in a Midland park because of the "terrible" condition of paths which caused a two-year-old boy to fall flat on his face.
Path warnings for park users; CAMPAIGN: Signs go up after toddler injured in fall
Never forget for a moment that there are a dozen or more green-with-envy cities who would like nothing better than for Liverpool to fall flat on its face.
Why peace is the word
BLOKES, did your Valentine's Day gesture or gift fall flat on its little fluffy heart?
Shari Lowe: Valentine's Day Gesture